Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Surveillance
Although highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has not been detected in Kansas since April 2022, fall bird migrations pose a reintroduction risk that could once again threaten domestic bird populations. Surveillance testing is an important tool for detecting and identifying the distribution of HPAI in wild bird populations, as well as the potential spread of the virus into new areas of concern.
The KSVDL Molecular Services section has been participating in the USDA-Wildlife Services National Wildlife Disease Program, the largest national avian influenza surveillance effort for U.S. wild bird populations. Sampling efforts began in May 2022 and will continue through February 2023, focusing primarily on dabbling ducks from hunter harvest, agency harvest or live capture and release. Samples testing positive for avian influenza and H5 subtype are considered presumptive HPAI positives and are forwarded to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa for confirmatory testing and strain identification.
Within the last month, HPAI H5N1 positive wild birds have been identified in several neighboring states, including Colorado, Oklahoma and Iowa, as well as in numerous other states. Confirmed cases in commercial and/or backyard poultry operations have also been recently reported in states across the region, including Colorado, Nebraska, Texas and Minnesota. With confirmed cases in wild bird, commercial and backyard poultry on the rise, stay up-to-date with the most recent HPAI detections by visiting the site below. Through participation in this surveillance program, KSVDL is contributing to ongoing efforts of early HPAI detection for the state of Kansas. If you have questions, please contact KSVDL Client Care at clientcare@vet.k-state.edu or 866-512-5650.